Soft DNF @ 30%

The pacing in this book is so so slow, and the magic system is very complicated, with what feels like a lot of info dumping.

That said, the writing is beautiful, so I think I will come back to this at another point.

If you like the dark academia aesthetic and don’t mind a slow paced book, then I would still recommend this!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This book had all the makings of a five star read for me, just a few minor details kept it from hitting the mark. Despite that, I can confidently say I will be continuing this series and I have high expectations for the next book!

What I loved:
◽️I loved the magical system she created using tarot cards. It was reminiscent of one of my favorites, The Shepherd King Duology. However, she managed to make her system unique and refreshing.
◽️Our MMC gives off MAJOR darkling vibes from Shadow and Bone. I don’t know about y’all but I was devastated when the Darkling didn’t turn out to be her love interest! 🤣 This book helped heal that wound by giving this Shadow Daddy all the spotlight he so rightly deserves. 👏🏻
◽️The FMC, Clara has actual skills. I despise when we’re told as readers the character is the best assassin in the world but then they get capture in the next scene. Excuse me, what? Something isn’t adding up here. 😅 Clara has a reason behind having her skills and she is consistent in her abilities. THANK YOU.

What I didn’t love:
◽️ The author used Clara to help explain the mechanics of the world quite frequently. While I appreciate that she wasn’t clueless and dumb, I found myself disliking her for it. I felt like the academic setting should have been utilized more as a means of educating the reader on the world, not the heroine.
◽️The romance was absolutely slow burn and true enemies to lovers which I love. However, something felt off about it? It was missing the loaded banter and meaningful glances that make the reader desperate for them to finally give in! Don’t get me wrong we had some of that but it was few and far between.

Overall, this was an excellent start to a sure to be fantastic new series! Also, I want to say thank you NetGallery and Del Rey Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A MUST READ for any romantasy fans. This was absolutely amazing! It’s so refreshing to read an enemies to lovers style romantasy and they ACTUALLY hate each other! Plus, the world-building was so thorough, and even though I don’t know much about tarot, it was very easy to follow. The characterisations were so good, and the plot was so interesting (especially when we hit act two). I read the second half of this book in one morning, it was just so fast and action packed. And the last line??? When’s the next one going to be released????

This book? An absolute vibe. From page one, Arcana Academy snatched my attention like a dark spell and said, “You’re mine now.” And honestly? I didn’t even fight it. Elise Kova didn’t just write a story she conjured an entire world dripping with danger, delicious intrigue, and a slow-burn romance so steamy it had me fanning myself with the book. 🔥

Dark magic? Check. Secrets? Check. Romantic tension so thick you could slice it with a dagger? Triple check. This story had me staying up way past my bedtime whispering “just one more chapter” like a liar.

In conclusion: I’m obsessed, my standards for fantasy are now sky-high, and I will absolutely be enrolling at Arcana Academy if admissions ever open. 🖤✨

Let’s take a moment—no, a moment—to talk about the worldbuilding, because… WOW. Elise Kova really said, “I’m gonna create a magic system so fresh, so fierce, and so fabulously extra that you’ll be obsessed,” and she delivered. A tarot-based magic system? Iconic. Inking magical cards with their own powers and consequences? Genius-level chaos. I was straight-up enchanted.

And don’t even get me started on the academy itself. Dark? Check. Mysterious? Double check. Brimming with secrets, danger, and broody magic boys? Oh honey, it’s the fantasy boarding school of my dreams. The second Clara started nosing around the school’s shadowy corners and uncovering its juiciest secrets, I knew I wasn’t just reading I was INVESTED. Like, “cancel-my-plans-and-hide-under-a-blanket-with-this-book” invested.

Basically? The world of Arcana Academy is giving everything it needs to give. And I am here for it. 🎴✨

THANK YOU NetGalley for the arc !!!!!!

Admittedly, I almost gave up on this one, but I’m glad I stuck it out. The role holding was definitely my biggest obstacle in this book; I’ve never been well-versed in tarot and often found myself confused about how anything worked. I also wasn’t particularly interested in the major plot lines of The World card and all it entailed.

I did enjoy the romance. Kaelis is an interesting character and I’m curious about what his real intentions with The World card are. Clara was a fine narrator, if a bit frustrating at times when she was guided by her grief and anger. A highlight was Clara and Alor’s friendship, and I hope the reveal at the end of this book doesn’t destroy that.

I definitely enjoyed the second half more than the first and can see myself giving the sequel a try!

First, I want to thank Elise Kova & Del Rey publishing for affording me this chance to read and review this arc.

Elise is one of my favorite authors, and I was so excited to read her newest book (to the point it was killing me to have to wait another few months). This popped up unexpectedly in my arcs, and I was ecstatic.

As a person who is very familiar with tarot, I’ve been intrigued to see how she was going to work tarot into this book. I almost was terrified I was going to hate the book, as a practitioner. But, I found out that Elise is very familiar (as well) so I hoped it was then going to be in good hands. [She did not disappoint]

Let’s get into the heart of the book… Clara is an escaped prisoner that is rescued by her mortal enemy, the 2nd Prince Kaelis. She is immediately told [for her safety] she must attend the academy & (oh btw you’re going to be a lady of a long lost dead clan … did I mention we are also going to be betrothed?! —but it’s for your protection… I did say that, already, right?! (My words of how I swear this went down in my head))

Through the book, Clara struggles with who she can trust, what’s fiction/what’s real, her family’s past/present, and this thing called tarot (reading, drawing & using).

I don’t want to give a long review. Just read it! Some reviews have complained about Elise being wordy, drawn out plots, and some not able to finish… and to each their own (with reviewers.. we all have our own opinions of how things should be & that’s OK). I will say I DID NOT agree. Maybe after reading literally every book she’s written, I’m used to her pacing & story telling. I did not agree. I was hooked very early on. I can see if you are not used to tarot how it can see “wordy” as she goes into descriptions of the cards & trying to give non-readers (of Tarot) some fundamental understanding to help the story. I guess this COULD be interpreted & off putting. If so, this book just isn’t the book for them. In my opinion, this is NEEDED very much so unfamiliar readers can truly understand the nuances of the cards and how they intertwine & work. How each suit can be somewhat similar but air, water, fire, and earth influences due to their qualities of the elements. I appreciated the explanation. There was another person who thought the card definitions were dumb because they were in the back. Any/every writer I have known always puts the glossary of definitions in the back. I guess the reader just thought it’d be helpful to have it in the front ahead of time, BUT if you read the chapters listed it says there’s a glossary. So I’m not sure how that’s Elise’s fault on a review. If they needed a reference they could have looked & seen there was such while reading.

And for reference, a very slow burn enemies to lovers romance does occur. There are a few curse words (but quite limited. I counted the F word like 3-4x that I truly noticed). It is a fantasy world. There are some triggers to consider- death, imprisonment, blood/fighting, starvation, murder (these are what I can remember.. could be others)

If you love these…. This book might be for you
* enemies to lovers
* dark academia
* heists
* fake engagement
* tarot

Follow the cards… follow the students.. follow the intrigue. And I hope you find that you can’t put this story down….. and all too soon you find that damn it… now you gotta wait for the continuation (as you both hate & love Elise for that!)

10 out of 5 ⭐️…. Okay fine… 5/5.

Go to Amazon & preorder this book… then thank me later. https://www.amazon.com/Arcana-Academy-Elise-Kova/dp/B0DHZ2H4Z5/ref=asc_df_B0DHZ2H4Z5?

The ONLY THING I didn’t like about this book was that it was over & Id have to wait for the next installment.

I knew from the moment I read the blurb that I would love this book and I wasn’t wrong. It was a delicious cocktail of one of the most unique magic systems I’ve ever come across, hidden agendas, a feisty FMC, a dark academia setting, star-crossed lovers and a cliffhanger that actually made me shout out loud.

I loved how much this story kept me on my toes. I was always unsure of what was around the corner. I made for an anxious read! But still very enjoyable.

I adored the Clara, the FMC. She’s bright, sarcastic and innately powerful. Her will is strong, her mind is clever and she has enough of a belief in herself and her abilities to back herself first and foremost. She was actually very inspiring. A tragic past makes her even more determined to secure herself and her loved ones a better future.

Our MMC, Kaelis, is a scholar. Strong, intelligent and fierce, yet not a warrior first and foremost, which was a wonderful change from the usual romantasy standard and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Would he and does he kill without remorse when needed? Yes. But there’s always a reason. I loved that even the description of his physicality is different from the copy/paste romantasy MMC that’s usually a walking mountain of man.

The magic system! An Arcanist uses tarot cards to channel and wield magic. This magic system was so cleverly crafted with thoughtfulness and reverence and respect for the tarot. As a card lover myself, I was utterly obsessed with the way these cards were used in this story.

This book was an easy five stars for me. It laid a really solid foundation for what I hope will be a deeper dive into the history of this magic system and further exploration into the characters pasts. There’s such depth to these characters and I feel like we’ve just scratched the surface in book one.

What crack did Elise put in this thing? I’m ashamed to say this is my first book by her but I will now be reading everything she has ever written and will ever write 🫡 If you like a slow-burn, dark academia, and unique magic systems, do not pass by this treasure. Still reeling and need to put the rest of my thoughts together while crying into my pillow.

This book was so good! The magic system was so unique! I wanted to love and connect with the characters more than I did but overall this was a great novel and I recommend it!

Elise Kova's “Arcana Academy” is a dark academia, enemies-to-lovers, fantasy book. Kova has has written a tarot-based magic system which was very unique and refreshing. Clara is a strong protagonist and easy to root for. I enjoyed reading about her relationship with Kaelis but it could have been developed a bit for in my opinion. There was plenty of suspense and an ending that will have you wanting the next book. This is a fun and easy addition to your summer reading list.
Thank you to NetGallery and Del Rey Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

The book begins with our protagonist in prison. Soon, she is yanked from the prison and thrown into a deadly academy to train her magic skills. The prince thinks she is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king. The prince wants to create a new world, and Clara has to decide what she believes.

The magic system reminds me of One Dark Window, but it remains unique.

Clara, as the protagonist, is talented and thinks she knows it all. Kaelis, our male main lead, is the dark, brooding, mysterious prince. I did enjoy the development of their relationship.

I absolutely loved this book. I felt there were times in the middle it felt long, but in turn, each moment held a valuable clue or dove deeper into the characters history or character development. The ending was unexpected and I liked that it took me off guard, I devoured this in 2 days - and she's a big book! The premise of tarot cards was so fun, it was different and special and I cannot wait to read book 2.

Thank you to Del Rey/Penguin Random House for sending me this ARC of Arcana Academy! As always, all thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book and I will be reading Book 2 when that eventually comes out!

There were so many secrets and mysteries happening from all angles and no one is as they seem, not even the FMC and MMC. Clara is a fiery and fierce FMC who is incredibly skilled at inking and wielding tarot, which goes beyond what is normal and that lands her in trouble and eventually in the hands of Kaelis who has knowledge about Clara that not even she knows.

There is undeniable tension each of these characters has for one another but where Clara only has hatred and disgust for Kaelis, it seems that the Prince only ever has more mysterious and intense feelings that Clara can't seem to interpret. They are two sides of the same coin, each looking to change their fate in different ways.

Their chemistry on page was phenomenal and I found myself really giggling to myself because I needed so much more. SO MUCH MORE PLEASE. Even in their reluctance to get closer to one another, Kaelis has a mouth on him and I really need Clara to get it together for us broody man lovers. I would also love to see a dual or multiple POV in book 2, because the one thing I wanted the entirety of the book, was just ONE chapter of Kaelis's POV.

I also hope we get a little more of Clara's life and relationships outside of Halazar and the Academy in book 2 as I really liked the side characters and found family that Clara had, but I felt just a little too far disconnected from them and didn't really get to form a real attachment to them outside of the last 15% or so. I hope we get to see a more flushed out past because I think I really would love them a lot more.

The issues I had that are likely a personal issue and maybe not so much a book issue–
I am not well versed in the way Tarot works in any capacity (though I've always been fascinated with the idea which is why I was incredibly intrigued with this book), but I feel like even so, there was a lot of information given to us throughout the story, and for me personally I wish it was just a little more flushed out as someone who doesn't have any experience with Tarot and understanding the meanings behind each card. <b>Elise did always write them out and I appreciate it A LOT</b>, but I think that I just had a hard time remembering all the cards, Clans, powers, etc in reference to one another.

All in all, I do recommend this book to fantasy/romantasy readers and those especially who will love the idea of tarot cards being the entire magic system! That is genuinely so unique and I can't wait to dive into reading more about it so that I can come back to this series with a fresh and newfound knowledge!

The world building was incredible! This is everything I am looking for in a fantasy book! I really enjoy a good slow-burn romance! I love that the academy is filled with secrets and hidden corners! I love the magic, the plot and the characters. Just WOW!

Thank you!

Arcana Academy is a magical, romantic thrill ride with a unique tarot based magic system and a dark academia vibe. Elise Kova blends intrigue, slow-burn romance, and high-stakes trials in a world that’s as enchanting as it is dangerous. Clara and Kaelis are a dynamic duo with electric chemistry, and the enemies-to-lovers tension is *chefs kiss*.

My only draw back lies with the pacing, it felt a little off at times, and the story occasionally leans a little too heavy on the familiar tropes (that we know and love!) without adding enough fresh twists to make it a wholly new or unique reading experience.

That being said, I had a fun time and will continue to read anything the author brings out. A must-read for fantasy romance fans!

Elise Kova never misses. This had a slightly darker twist on the magical school trope and reminded me of early Throne of Glass mixed with Ninth House energy. A little slow at the start but once the secrets started unravelling? I was in.

Arcana Academy perfectly intertwines dark academia, romantasy, and an inventive card-based magic system. It's a remarkable find—I haven’t encountered a card-driven magic system this imaginative since One Dark Window, yet this is still entirely original.

The characters, both main and supporting, are vividly portrayed, each with unique aspirations and emotions. The protagonists’ backstories are particularly compelling, making it easy to empathise with their journeys. The love-hate dynamic between the main characters is an exquisite slow-burn. The build-up is so expertly executed that when the sparks finally fly, it feels intensely gratifying as though we've earnt it.

The plot is layered with intrigue, unravelling mysteries, and intricate strategies—all set against the atmospheric backdrop of an academy. The supporting cast is an impressive set of personalities to admire, detest, or simply understand, adding richness to an already addictive narrative.

Fans of One Dark Window, The Temptation of Magic, and Five Broken Blades will be captivated by this story. It’s a must-read for anyone craving a tale that captures the imagination and a delicate blend of love and hate.

Most disappointing book of the year.
The world-building I love from Kovais is missing in this one. It's just info dump after info dump
The FMC feels one-note and deeply unlikable
Miscommunication is SO much a plot point that I don't think there would be a plot without it.
I love the world once I got a grasp of it
I wish we could be in the MMC head, but again, the plot would be ruined if he could talk to her, so that can't happen.
I wish there was a Sparknotes version of this cause I think a shorter book would be better. And maybe a less convoluted world-building
the magic system is highly interesting
Love the concept, love the author, hate the execution.
I hate to say it, but I think I might pass on book 2

I really enjoyed the tarot-based world Elise Kova created in Arcana Academy. I liked following Clara on her journey from prisoner to student to whatever comes next for her. I can't wait to read the next book!

4.5⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!

A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling romantasy series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.

This was a great fantasy read and had me hooked surprisingly very easily and early on. I could not put the book down at all and finished it in two sittings.

The magic system in this book was deep and intricate. I found it to be very interesting and the world-building was amazingly done. The tarot card wielding system is my most favourite magic system and it was done amazingly here!